Candleholder

ABSTRACT

A special-purpose wax candle holder, more particularly, a portable Troyca-type candelabra which is expressly but not necessarily designed and acceptably adapted for ritualistic and ceremonial use in an all Eastern orthodox church and which is hand carried or held while the apostolic epistle and gospel is read and transfer of the holy eucharist is transferred from oblation to the main altar table. The three outer tubes, which enclose and shield the inner spring-loaded candle-holding tubes, provide the desired oriented branches and are coordinated with balanced and braced handling means.

United States Patent iii/1956,0113

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" rbmcn'mms OTHER REFER EN Gennan Application G 16758 X/4A Primary Exantiner-Carroll Dority, .Ir. Attorneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A special-purpose wax candle holder, more particularly, a portable Troyca-type candelabra which is'expressly but not necessarily designed and acceptably adapted for ritualistic and ceremonial use in an all Eastern orthodox church and which is hand carried or held while the apostolic epistle and gospel is read and transfer of the holy eucharist is transferred from oblation to the main altar table. The three outer tubes, which enclose and shield the inner spring-loaded candle-holding tubes, provide the desired oriented branches and are coordinated with balanced and braced handling means.

CANDLEHOLDEI This invention relates, broadly stated, to a was candle holder and carrier and has to do, more explicitly stated, with a candelabra which lends itself to portable handling and ceremonial use, for example, in lieu of a conventional Troyca and such as is occasionally used at he appointed time in Eastern orthodox churches, that is, during the time the apostle and gospel is being read.

An object of the inventive concept ii" to provide a candleholder whose carefully chosen and mutually cooperating parts function to provide an adaptation which has been carefully thought out for church use and which is constructed with requisite nicely and with the assurance that because of stability and lightness in weight it can be handled and carried with confidence and reasonably assured safety.

Briefly the holder is characterized by a length of suitable tubing which is bent upon itself between its ends into U- shaped form to provide a pair of duplicate upstanding outer tubes joined at lower ends by a bight portion which constitutes a convenient handle. The lower end of a third tube is attached to the median part of the bight portion and these several tubes provide the desired outwardly appearing candelabra. A channel-shaped or an equivalent cross brace has its median and end portions connected to the intermediate parts of the respective several tubes and stabilizes the overall adaptation and provides, where desired, surfaces for suitable decoration and ornamentation.

More specifically the candelabra is characterized by three spaced parallel coplanar branches united by a common carrying handle. The several branches are alike in purpose and construction. Each branch comprises an outer elongated tube having an open upper end. The hollow portion of the outer tube serves to protectively contain an elongated sleevelike inner tube which is preferably open at its respective ends and is operatively mounted within the confines of he hollow portion of the outer tube. It also has an open upperend and provides a socketlike holder or receiver for an insertable and removable candle. A candle seating and projecting spring is confined in the lower portion of the inner tube. A cap is removably mounted and substantially closes the upper end of the outer tube. The candle is telescopingly and slidingly fitted into the hollow portion of the inner tube and has a lower end with end thrust contact with a coacting confined end of a coil spring of suitable tension. The upper wick-equipped end of the candle is yieldingly pressed against the specially constructed safety shielding candle holddown cap.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a view in perspective of a triple-branch-type candelabra constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and readied for holding and carrying use by a duly appointed person.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view with parts in section and elevation taken approximately on the plane of the central section line 2-2 of FIG. I looking in the direction of the indicating arrows.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the upper inner tube encircling and stabilizing collar.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of the specially constructed insertable and removable adapted for the lower coacting end of the inner tube.

And FIG. 5 is a view in perspective on a suitably large scale detailing the bayonet slot and detent connection which is preferably used between the upper end of the outer tube and the neck of the attachable and detachable flame-shielding cap.

With reference again to FIG. 1 and considering the overall or general external appearance of the candleholder only the surfaces of the several branches or outer tubes are shown.

Although the construction might well be of a different style it is preferred that the main tube should appear as shown that is should be made from a length of tubing of requisite material and cross-sectional gauge and weight. This length of tubing is bent upon itself between its ends into U-shaped form thus providing a pair of left and right branches or tubes and an in= tervening tube connected thereto. The U-shaped pan is denoted as a unit by the numeral 8 and the handling and carrying bight portion is denoted at 10. The centralized companion tube is designated by the numeral I2. The intermediate portions of these several tubes are braced and connected by a cross brace which is denoted at 14 and is also of requisite lightness in weight and material and is preferably channel shaped in cross section and is provided at its intermediate por tion with an opening l6 to accommodate the center tube and similar openings 1! at the ends to accommodate the coacting legs or tubes at the left and right of the tube I2.

The reason for approaching this tubing aspect of the con= cept broadly is because of the fact that it is believed that it will assist in stressing the fact that while the hand-carried and triple-branch candelabra aspect is of general significance the es- .sence of the invention has to do with the construction of each branch and which is brought out in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 in particular.

With reference now to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the larger outer tube is denoted by the numeral 20 and is of requisite length and cross section. The upper open end is denoted at 22 in FIG. 5 and has a struckout tongue which is bent in as at 24. This upper end portion (FIG. 5) is designated by the numeral 26. The enclosed inner sleevelilte tube is denoted by the numeral 28 (FIG. 2) and has an open-ended lower portion 30 which is seated in the receptacle portion 32 of an insertable and removable adapter 34. The adapter has a marginal flange 36 defining a receptacle and the flange is cut out on one side as at 38 to clear the detent 24 when the adapter is inserted into the hollow portion of the outer tube. The adapter is held in place by the inwardly projecting shank of a screw-threaded headed fastener 40 as best shown in FIG. 2. The central part of the adapter is formed with an upstanding cylindrical boss 42 which is fitted telesoopingly into the lower end portion 30 of the inner tube. The median portion of the inner tube is denoted at 44 and the upper end portion at 46 this end terminating below the level of the upper end 22 of the outer tube.

The length of the inner tube is less than the length of the outer tube and it is also of a relatively smaller cross section so that when the inner tube is in the position shown it is spaced from interior surfaces or walls of the surrounding outer tube. For best results the upper end portion is stabilized and held in place with the assistance of a collar such as at 48 in FIGS. 2 and 3. The collar has a depending marginal flange 50 which is fitted frictionally into the hollow portion of the outer tube. This flange is also provided with a cutout or notch 52 to clear the detent or tongue 24. The collar also includes an upstanding neck 54 of suitable diameter and which i'rictionally surrounds the upper portion of the inner tube 28 as brought out in FIG. 2. The hollow portion of the lower pan of the inner tube serves to protectively contain a coil spring 56 of requisite length and tension. The lower end of the spring rests upon the boss 42 and the upper end is in contact with the lower or inner end of the insertable and removable conventional wax candle 58. The candle is fitted with requisite nicely into the inner tube and projects above the open end 22. Under the circumstances a suitable closure or cap is necessary. This cap is preferably of the construction shown and is denoted by the nu meral 60. The shell-like body portion 62 is of upwardly projecting conical form and the base thereof 64 is fashioned into a shoulder which rests on the edge 22. This body portion is provided with circumferentially spaced orifices or ports 66 for suitable ventilation needs. A depending neck 68 is fitted into the upper part of the outer tube and has a bayonet slot 70 which is alignable and releasably cooperable with the detent or tongue 24. The upper apical end of the conical canopy or body 22 is provided with an endless or annular flange 72 which provides the desired frame guard and shield as brought out in FIG. 2. When the candle is inserted and he cap is applied the candle is pressed down against and tension the spring 56. As the flame consumes the candle the spring pushes the upper end up and against the underneath side of the cap, more particularly the body portion of the cap as brought out in FIG. 2. This holddown and ventilation cap lends itself to feasible use and well serves the purposes for which it has been devised and perfected.

The foregoing is cons'dered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. For religious ritual use in a church during the time the apostolic epistle and complemental gospel is being read, a portable hand-carried holder for several candles comprising: a candelabra embodying three spaced parallel coplanar branches united by a common carrying handle, said branches being alike in purpose and construction, each branch comprising an outer elongated tube having an open upper end, an elongated sleevelike inner tube operatively mounted within the confines ol the hollow portion of said outer tube and also having an open upper end and providing a socketlilte candleholder, a candle seating and projecting spring confined in a lower portion of said inner tube, a cap removably mounted on and substantially closing the upper open end of said outer tube, and a candle telescoping slidingly into the hollow portion of said inner tube and having a lower end having end thrust contact with a coacting end of said spring and an upper wick-equipped end yieldingly pressed against and abutting said cap, said inner tube being of a length andyc yoss-sectional dimension less than the cross-sectional dimension and length of said outer tube, and adapter insertably fitted in a lower interior portion of said outer tube, said adapter having an axial upstanding boss plugged into the lower end of said inner tube and providing a seating and supporting anchor for said inner tube.

2. The candelabra defined in and according to claim I, said adapter being shallow cuplilte in construction and the receptacle portion thereof providing a receiver for said lower open end, and :vcrew-threaded headed fastener mounted in a wall portion of said outer tube and projecting into the hollow part of the outer tube, said cuplilte adapter resting on and being supported by said fastener.

3. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 1, and, in combination, a centering and stabilizing collar removably fitted into an upper part of the hollow portion of said outer tube and having an axially located ringlilte neclt snugly sur' rounding said inner tube.

4. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said cap embodies an upstanding perforated conical canopy portion which is perforated for ventilation needs and whose upper apical end is truncated and is provided with an encircling flange.

5. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 4, said flange being annular in plan and flaring upwardly and outwardly.

6. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 5, and a rigidifying cross brace bridging and connected to like median portions of the several outer tubes.

7. A portable candleholder comprising and elongated outer tube open at an upper end and having an insertable adapter fitted retentively but removably in a lower interior portion of said outer tube, said adapter being cuplilte and providing a shallow receiver and having an axially located upstanding boss, it complements! elongated open-ended inner tube positioned concentrically within the confines of the hollow portion of said outer tube and of a length and cross section less than the length and cross section of said outer tube and having its lower open end seated in the receptacle portion of said receiver and fitted retentively over said boss, a centering, as sembling and stabilizing collar removably fitted in the upper hollow portion of said outer tube and having an axial ringlilte neck frictionally snugly surrounding a coacting upper end portion of said inner tube, a coil spring housed in the lower halfportion of said inner tube and resting at a lower end atop said boss, and a candle holddown flame-emitting cap cooperable with the upper open end of said outer tube, the ignitable end of said candle having spring-biased end thrust contact with said cap. 13

8. The portable candleholder defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein the upper open end of said outer. tube is provided with a strucltout inbent tongue providing a caprnounting detent, and said cap having a neclt plugged into said upper open end and having a bayonet slot turnably and releasably connected to said detent, said cap having a protruding perforated conical canopy portion whose upper apical end is truncated and provided with an annular upwardly and outwardly flaring flame-shielding flange.

9. A portable hand-carried holder for several candles comprising a candelabra embodying three spaced parallel coplanar branches united at corresponding lower end portions by a common carrying handle, each branch comprising an outer elongated tube having an open upper end, an elongated sleevelilte inner tube operatively mounted within the confines of the hollow portion of said outer tube and also having an open upper end providing a socketlike holder for an insertable and removable candle, a candle seating and projecting spring confined in a lower portion of said inner tube a cap removably mounted on and substantially closing the upper open end of said outer tube, said inner tube being of a length and a crosssectional 'dimension less than the cross-sectional dimension and length of said outer tube, and adapter fitted retentively in a lower interior portion of said outer tube, said adapter having an axial member cooperable with the lower open end of said inner tube and providing a supporting anchor for said inner tube.

to. The portable hand-carried holder defined in and according to claim 9 and, in combination, a centering and stabilizing collar removably fitted into an upper part of the hol low portion of said outer tube and having an axially located n'nglilte neclr snugly surrounding said inner tube. 

1. For religious ritual use in a church during the time the apostolic epistle and complemental gospel is being read, a portable hand-carried holder for several candles comprising: a candelabra embodying three spaced parallel coplanar branches united by a common carrying handle, said branches being alike in purpose and construction, each branch comprising an outer elongated tube having an open upper end, an elongated sleevelike inner tube operatively mounted within the confines of the hollow portion of said outer tube and also having an open upper end and providing a socketlike candleholder, a candle seating and projecting spring confined in a lower portion of said inner tube, a cap removably mounted on and substantially closing the upper open end of said outer tube, and a candle telescoping slidingly into the hollow portion of said inner tube and having a lower end having end thrust contact with a coacting end of said spring and an upper wick-equipped end yieldingly pressed against and abutting said cap, said inner tube being of a length and crosssectional dimension less than the cross-sectional dimension and length of said outer tube, and adapter insertably fitted in a lower interior portion of said outer tube, said adapter having an axial upstanding boss plugged into the lower end of said inner tube and providing a seating and supporting anchor for said inner tube.
 2. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 1, said adapter being shallow cuplike in construction and the receptacle portion thereof providing a receiver for said lower open end, and a screw-threaded headed fastener mounted in a wall portion of said outer tube and projecting into the hollow part of the outer tube, said cuplike adapter resting on and being supported by said fastener.
 3. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 1, and, in combination, a centering and stabilizing collar removably fitted into an upper part of the hollow portion of said outer tube and having an axially located ringlike neck snugly surrounding said inner tube.
 4. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said cap embodies an upstanding perforated conical canopy portion which is perforated for ventilation needs and whose upper apical end is truncated and is provided with an encircling flange.
 5. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 4, said flange being annular in plan and flaring upwardly and outwardly.
 6. The candelabra defined in and according to claim 5, and a rigidifying cross brace bridging and connected to like median portions of the several outer tubes.
 7. A portable candleholder comprising and elongated outer tube open at an upper end and having an insertable adapter fitted retentively but removably in a lower interior portion of said outer tube, said adapter being cuplike and providing a shallow receiver and having an axially located upstanding boss, a complemental elongated open-ended inner tube positioned concentrically within the confines of the hollow portion of said outer tube and of a length and cross section less than the length and cross section of said outer tube and having its lower open end seated in the receptacle portion of said receiver and fitted retentively over said boss, a centering, assembling and stabilizing collar removably fitted in the upper hollow portion of said outer tube and having an axial ringlike neck frictionally snugly surrounding a coacting upper end portion of said inner tube, a coil spring housed in the lower half-portion of said inner tube and resting at a lower end atop said boss, and a candle holddown flame-emitting cap cooperable with the upper open end of said outer tube, the ignitable end of said candle having spring-biased end thrust contact with said cap. 13
 8. The portable candleholder defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein the upper open end of said outer tube is provided with a struckout inbent tongue providing a cap-mounting detent, and said cap having a neck plugged into said upper open end and having a bayonet slot turnably and releasably connected to said detent, said cap having a protruding perforated conical canopy portion whose upper apical end is truncated and provided with an annular upwardly and outwardly flaring flame-shielding flange.
 9. A portable hand-carried holder for several candles comprising a candelabra embodying three spaced parallel coplanar branches united at corresponding lower end portions by a common carrying handle, each branch comprising an outer elongated tube having an open upper end, an elongated sleevelike inner tube operatively mounted within the confines of the hollow portion of said outer tube and also having an open upper end providing a socketlike holder for an insertable and removable candle, a candle seating and projecting spring confined in a lower portion of said inner tube a cap removably mounted on and substantially closing the upper open end of said outer tube, said inner tube being of a length and a cross-sectional dimension less than the cross-sectional dimension and length of said outer tube, and adapter fitted retentively in a lower interior portion of said outer tube, said adapter having an axial member cooperable with the lower open end of said inner tube and providing a supporting anchor for said inner tube.
 10. The portable hand-carried holder defined in and according to claim 9 and, in combination, a centering and stabilizing collar removably fitted into an upper part of the hollow portion of said outer tube and having an axially located ringlike neck snugly surrounding said inner tube. 